Strength and conditioning coach on leave pending investigation into inappropriate conduct

The fencing team is working with a new strength and conditioning coach pending an investigation into the team’s fall break training trip to Budapest, Hungary.

Sam Snyder, who served as strength and conditioning coach for men’s and women’s fencing and men’s and women’s rowing, is on administrative leave pending the investigation, according to University Spokesperson and Director of Media Relations Ben Chang.

Snyder declined to comment.

The athletic staff told rowers that Snyder had acted inappropriately during the fencing team trip. Upon returning to campus, however, he was permitted to coach the rowing teams.

“I had lift with him on Tuesday,” said Camille Heubner ’20, a member of the lightweight women’s rowing team. “He knew he was not working with the fencers at that point, but he wasn’t sure about rowers.”

By Thursday, Nov. 8, Snyder was no longer coaching the rowers. Another rower, who asked not to be identified for fear of retaliation, confirmed that they had their Nov. 8 lifting session at Jadwin Gymnasium instead of the boathouse, their usual location.

Snyder has not coached the fencing teams since returning to campus after fall break.

A former fencing strength and conditioning coach who is now the strength and conditioning coach for men’s lacrosse, men’s soccer, men’s and women’s tennis, and women’s ice hockey, is currently filling Snyder’s position.

“We still have all our fencing coaches, so our main fencing training has not changed at all,” said a member of the fencing team. The fencer said they don’t believe the incident is as “severe as everyone makes it out to be,” and cited how calm the fencing team was in the days following the trip.

Snyder interned at the University of Rhode Island, Bryant University, and the University before becoming a part-time strength and conditioning coach for men’s volleyball and men’s and women’s rugby at the University. In August, he started working full-time as strength and conditioning coach for rowing and fencing.